The Drama Lab . Est 2013
Outstanding Drama and Acting classes for young people.
The Drama Lab is situated in the City of Sunderland and excels in providing outstanding speech, drama and acting training to students aged 4-16yrs.
The Team is made up of highly trained and qualified, practising Drama Lecturers who hold PGCE in teaching and who have experience in teaching and managing performing arts in various institutions.
The sessions are fun packed, fast paced sessions that aim to develop vocal skills, acting skills, creativity, imagination, team work skills all whilst building your child’s confidence, self-esteem and celebrating their individuality, creativity and talent.
“Chloe has been with the Drama Lab since its inception and thanks to Gemma and her team, she has grown from a timid toddler into a confident, humorous performer.
Chloe loves her fun weekly sessions with her friends and tutors but especially the end of term ‘showings of work’.
The Drama Lab always prepares their students incredibly well for any LAMDA exams, Chloe has received distinctions every time due to this team effort.
We would totally recommend the Drama Lab to any parent wanting their child to develop confidence, social and performance skills”
Clive Knapper
“The drama lab has helped Cerys to have the confidence to perform in front of an audience on her own.
It’s helped her reading and sharpened her memory.
She loves working in a group and individually.
She loves her drama class and has made lots of new friends there.”
Nikki Usher
“Kate loves drama.
From being quite shy she has become a lot more confident ‘performing’ even singing and acting around the house!
I’m amazed by how quickly she remembers her lines and have noticed she has gained in confidence when speaking in front of others in all social situations.
It has also helped to prove her reading skills as well as allowing her to make more friends.
Thank you!”
Helen Pallister
“Neve was 4 in April and signing her up to Drama Lab was the best thing I have ever done. With excellent professional staff she settled in straight away and loves going to drama.
Drama Lab has helped her with talking in front of people remembering words but everything is done with links to education and regular emails let you know what your kids have been doing.
A lovely group where all children get to shine.”
Laura Cassidy
Students of the Term
Daisy, Ella, Frances, Grace & Immy
Well done for your super hard work and commitment!
Meet The Team
The faculty is made up of highly trained and qualified, practising Drama Lecturers who hold PGCE in teaching and who have experience in teaching and managing performing arts in various institutions.
Gemma Whelam
Gemma is a Speech, Acting and Drama practitioner who is the founder and Director of The Drama Lab. At the ‘Lab’ she specialises in teaching accredited LAMDA qualifications, directing productions and teaching group sessions along with managing and marketing the company.
Gemma trained at the internationally recognised Drama School: East 15 and started her career as an Actor, touring the country in numerous productions. Gemma then went on to teach voice at Northumbria University on their graduate programme ‘The Live Academy’ before working at a range of colleges and schools in the North East teaching performing arts to range of students from Year 8 students to Level 5. Along with her teaching role at her previous employer Gemma was part of the Teaching and Learning Team where she mentored/coached staff, planned and delivered CPD and was part of the internal inspection team.
Through her teaching Gemma has become a creative theatre director. Directing a plethora of productions in a range of styles and genres of theatre.
Gemma is currently a Drama Lecturer and the Programme Leader for the FdA Performing Arts at New College Durham. Her experience in the education sector spans 18 years and has led many programmes throughout her career, including LAMDA, A Level Drama and Theatre Studies, Btec Level 1,2,+3 in Performing Arts, FdA Performing Arts.
Faye Cunningham
Faye is a Speech, Acting and Theatre practitioner who is a freelance teaching specialist at the Drama Lab. At the Drama Lab she teaches group sessions, directs productions and supports Gemma with the 1:1 LAMDA sessions.
Faye graduated from Cumbria Institute of Performing Arts with a BA (Hons) in Performing Arts (2009) and Sunder-land College with a PGCE in Post Compulsory Education and Training (2011). Faye has worked in a range of colleges and schools across the north east teaching drama to children and young adults aged between 5-18. She has also worked in educational institutions in a pastoral capacity.
Faye is currently a Performing Arts Programme Leader and New College Durham. Performing Arts education has been a major part of her career and has included the delivery of programmes from level 1-5. Her experience in the education sector spans 12 years. Faye has authorship of a performing arts qualification in higher education. She is an experienced contemporary theatre director and her credits include a vast range of genres, plays and target audiences.
In addition, Faye has professional credits including theatre, film and television.
LAMDA
In addition to the weekly sessions the Drama Lab offers 1:1 tuition which work towards LAMDA Acting Exams. Exam sessions delve into developing characterisation, voice, acting skills whilst developing students understanding of the text, memory and confidence.
The Drama Lab students have achieved 100% pass rate, and 96% of students entered for exams achieve Distinction grades.
Visit the LAMDA website to find out more… London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art
PASS RATE
DISTINCTION
Opportunities
The Drama Lab is approached for different opportunities and auditions from outside agencies for TV, film, theatre and adverts.
Showings of Work
The students will take part in performances throughout the year; these performances are performing in a theatre and is an opportunity for you to watch what your child has been working on and for the students to develop their performance skills. We call these performances ‘Showings of Work’ as they are not full scale shows. At The Drama Lab we endeavour to give all the children equal opportunity in performances and the showings are just a snapshot of what your child will be working on in their 1 hour weekly sessions.